What's the best hitch setup for a 99-04 Mustang?

^^ The great tech posts just keep on coming :rolleyes: These hitches are bolt on items that are easily removed, and they are only like $120...it's not a huge investment. And OH NO! I want to USE my car to actually DO something instead of slapping on some ricer stickers, body kit, ricer fiber, and calling it "modded".

I have the power to pull WAY more than 700-1000lbs :rlaugh:... But, I don't have the gross vehicle weight to do anymore than that... General rule of thumb is don't exceed 2/3 vehicle weight on a tow - also all of the hitches available for these cars are class 1 which is 2000lbs-tow/200lbs tongue.

If you don't have any tech to contribute, please don't. I already know all the opinions on trailering junk with my mustang, that's not the topic of this thread. Though...it is surprising, such a mullet inspiring car and so many people are opposed to the idea of hauling a sweet load :nice:


That "general rule of thumb" is junk. I have a ranger that weighs 3700 pounds, has a 5800 pound tow rating from ford and I pull 5,000 pounds all the time. The problem is not pulling, it is controlling and stopping. Those are two different issues. Trailer brakes (surge) make a difference.

Yes, you _can_ tow with a mustang, or a honda. Yes you _can_ put your foot under a running lawn mower even though it says "don't do it". The question is, _should_ you do either??? Not me for either question...
 
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It can and has been done, a buddy of mine pulled a small trailer with his 03 Cobra 'vert, and it never caused ANY issues with the car.

There is more than enough power to pull a trailer, we are driving somewhat muscle-cars.


This is not about "power to pull". It is about controlling the load while under way, in crosswinds and turbulence produced by 18 wheelers, as well as stopping the thing safely. The "pulling" is the easy part. The "controlling" is not so easy.
 
I say go for it. I was just talking to a guy today about how you can't fit a set of tires, tools and supplies in the back seat and trunk. I have to switch to my rims at my house then drive 3 hours to the track day @ V.I.R. I would love to be able to tow a small trailer for tires, tools, tents and everthing else that is needed.

Mustangs are some of the most versitile bullet proof cars out there. Have you ever read a British car magazine? We have it easy. Think about what we ask of them on a daily basis and how well they perform.

I don't have any info on which is better, but I would love to find out for myself. Go for it! Race your bike then your car, pack up your stuff and act like it's no big deal.

To all the neigh Sayers out there I'm shaking pointer finger at you right now.:nono:
 
This is not about "power to pull". It is about controlling the load while under way, in crosswinds and turbulence produced by 18 wheelers, as well as stopping the thing safely. The "pulling" is the easy part. The "controlling" is not so easy.


I agree, I was just stating there was enough power to pull it, lol.

Depends on how big the trailer is, and what speed will be driven IMO. This guy I know pulled his trailer alot, and for long distances... 60+ mph just fine.

There should be an obvious fine line between "safe, but goofy" and "insane and accident prone".
 
If ford rates the GT @ 1000#s....then there will be no adverse effects to the body at that weight or anything below. They dont just bend over a pull out a number....its all based on engine, trans, axle, and chasis strength...cooling will also be factored in.
Heck, we used my dads L to tow his BIG truck (12,000-14,000 #s)....truck didnt like it much and we had to stop 1 time to let the trans cool down (217*s! ) but it did fine....MUCH higher than it was designed to pull....close to tripple the weight, as its rated @ 5000#s.

Go with whatevers cheaper IMO.
 
I made a hitch for mine soon after I bought it cuz the whole world had them on backorder. Welded a couple of pieces of 3" channel together and a 2" receiver to the bottom of those. I think the whole thing was about a foot to 15" wide. I drilled 2 half inch holes in the upper piece of channel. Welded some 1/2" nuts to a couple of pieces of 1/4x2 flat bar and cut slots in the front section of the bumper to slide those in the boxed section of the rear bumper. Drilled the botom of the bumper to match the holes in the channel and bolted it on sandwitching the bottom of the bumper metal.

I used to tow my 17' CC boat with a 90HP Yamaha OB and all the gear with no problems. That rig was probably 2500 to 3000 lbs. I also had a heavy 5x10 trailer I hauled my race tires, jack and stuff in to races. The same car now rides on a trailer and has over 100K on it with no evidence of frame/body damage.
 
Hey man I had a tow hitch on my stang when i bought it and I dont need it anymore. I never used it. It was on the car when i bought it. pretty sure it was a drawtite. I can give you some pics if you are intrested in buying it or trading for something. let me know.

Thanks,
Sean
 
when our racetrack for sold to the indians lots of guys put hitches on thier mustangs.. i'll look into the setups.. but its not rice, or anything stupid.. its just practical.. who can afford to tow the car on a truck with a car trailor and race tires when you can just pull your tires and a tool box behind you.. big deal!!!
 
[I've seen Mustangs towing jet skis. As long as you don't tow a boat or car trailer i think you would be fine.

Might be a little odd, but it could be interesting to smoke ricers while towing a bike
/QUOTE]
i see that your from revere mass. this mustang pulling jet skis didnt happen to be a 98 body style cobra painted bright yellow with a big body kit on it would it? lol i used to see that kid driving around woburn all the time a few summers ago.

i live in woburn. u guys ever hang out anywhere in the revere area? it would be nice to see some other mustang owners. all i see around woburn is old guys in v6 mustang convertibles.